KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Atlanta released pitcher Freddy Garcia, who was contending for a spot in the Braves’ battered rotation, and agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with right-hander Aaron Harang.

The team announced Garcia’s unconditional release Monday on the deadline for him to be put on the major league roster — which would have triggered a $1.25 million guaranteed salary.

“They said they didn’t want to pick it up. I have to go,” said Garcia, 37, who started Game 4 of last year’s NL division series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Garcia, who has won 156 games, was visibly shaken.

“I want to pitch, but not going to the minor leagues,” he said. “I come here and try the best I can. I threw yesterday the way I want to pitch and they decided to go the other way. … They made a decision, and I got to go with it.”

The right-hander was cut despite a strong outing Sunday, when he limited the New York Mets to an unearned run and two hits over 5 1/3 innings. He was 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in five spring training starts.

With Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy out for the season, and Mike Minor on the disabled list through at least mid-April as he comes back from a sore shoulder, the Braves decided to bolster their rotation depth with Harang.

The 35-year-old went 5-12 with a 5.40 ERA during a 2013 season split between Seattle and the New York Mets. He was released from a minor league contract by Cleveland earlier Monday after going 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in nine innings for the Indians during spring training. He can earn up to an additional $1 million in bonuses under his deal with Atlanta.

The opening rotation will likely consist of Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, rookie David Hale and Harang, with non-roster invitee Gus Schlosser also a possibility. Ervin Santana, signed late in spring training to a $14.1 million, one-year contract after Medlen and Beachy were injured, is set to join the rotation during the second week of the season after building up arm strength.

Gavin Floyd, coming back from elbow surgery, could be ready by the end of April along with Minor.